🏝️ Okinawa Island-Hop — Summer 2026

Why this shape: ferries are front-loaded (Keramas + Kume in week 1) because boat schedules are the rigid part — if weather cancels a sailing you still have slack. The wheels-based north loop in week 2 is flexible day by day. Rainy season (tsuyu) typically ends late June, so the trip starts at the tail of it and rides into the dry; July = typhoon watch, keep 1 buffer day.

Booking order (do these first): (1) Flight. (2) Queen Zamami high-speed boat — reservations open 1 month ahead and sell out in season; book the 24 Jun outbound the moment it opens. (3) Kume Line ferry. (4) Zamami guesthouses are few — book early.

🛵 License trap (Swiss-specific): the 1949 IDP is NOT valid for Swiss licenses in Japan — you need an official Japanese translation of your Swiss license (JAF, ~¥4'000). Order it before flying or at JAF Okinawa in Naha; without it no scooter, no car.

Ferry-pivot note: there is no direct Zamami→Kume boat — both run via Naha Tomari port. 27 Jun is a same-day pivot (morning boat in, 14:00 Kume ferry out). Tight but doable; fallback = sleep one extra night in Naha and trim Kume to 2.

🚭 Vape rules (Japan, verified): nicotine e-liquid is NOT sold in Japan — bring your own: max 120 ml e-liquid + 2 devices (disposables banned since Apr 2025); pouches ~1-month personal supply. Plan B locally: zero-nic vapes & IQOS everywhere in konbini. Shanghai PVG transit: fine, keep kit + spare batteries in CABIN bag only. CHF figures use ~¥175 = CHF 1.